Biathlon: Sophie Chauveau, a child of Grand-Bornand
At the very end of December 2022, in our columns, biathlete Sophie Chauveau agreed to talk about her World Cup in Le Grand-Bornand (Haute-Savoie). A few weeks earlier, at home, the Bornand native had put in some exceptional performances over three days, finishing in the top 10 on each occasion.
“In the space of three incredible races and three moments of communion with the public in Grand-Bornand, my village, I felt like a star. And I don’t feel like one at all! I’ve had an exceptional week, a dream week. I didn’t want it to end. It was just crazy. After the races, people came up to me to ask for autographs and photos. It was crazy and I even had to set up an autograph signing during the week because I hadn’t had any before! It’s weird and I’ve got friends telling me I’ve become a star. It’s funny”, she explained at the time.
“The small danger is enjoying the atmosphere too much and forgetting what’s at stake”.
Two years on, Sophie Chauveau is preparing to relive the madness of Le Grand-Bornand from Friday to Sunday.
“This will be my second time in Grand-Bornand, the first was very moving and emotional, she recalls to Nordic Magazine. I’m speaking for the whole team, we’re all really looking forward to it, with the public on our side. It’s the best stage of the year!”
However, the Haut-Savoyard doesn’t want to fall into the trap of overconfidence. “We’re also all very focused on not letting ourselves get left out of competitions. The small danger is enjoying the atmosphere too much and forgetting what’s at stake. After that, when there’s a crowd like that behind us, I tend to think that it can only help us. I just want to rip it up and enjoy it in Grand-Bornand”, she says.
Still under pressure
All this after she had managed to cope with the terrible drop from seven to six quotas for the French following the Austrian races. “It was pressure, she admits. In a sporting career, you’re always in the squad and you always have to be at your best. Just because you’re selected for a stage doesn’t mean you can take the pressure off. You’re there to perform and win.”
In the sprint, pursuit and mass-start contested in the Aravis mountains, Sophie Chauveau will be trying to prove her point.
- The full programme for the Annecy – Le Grand-Bornand World Cup, third leg of the 2024/2025 season
- Gilonne Guigonnat on the sidelines: the French selection for the Grand-Bornand World Cup
- “A mixture of pride, relief and recognition”: Sophie Chauveau, the podium that came just at the right time in the Hochfilzen sprint
